Artist creates paintings using remote-control cars

Apr 25 2008 By Steve Hayes

A BIRMINGHAM artist is being driven to success as he creates paintings using remote-control cars.

Ian Cook, aged 24, who teaches at Sutton Coldfield College, has created a portrait, or auto-drawing, of historian and Birmingham Mail columnist Carl Chinn as part of an exhibition at Solihull Art Gallery.

Ian is inspired by his love of the Land Rover company.

He has created a number of paintings using remote-control cars and one of his pieces was commissioned for Children in Need.

"I have an instinctive drive to relate my work to the brand of Land Rover. When I spent time in Latvia in the second year of my college course I saw Land Rovers there and it was a symbol of home for me. It is part of my heritage.

"As a local figure, Dr Carl Chinn has been heavily involved in trying to save Land Rover, so that is why I chose him."

Dr Chinn said: "I was really quite flattered when Ian approached me. His work is really adventurous."

Ian, whose work includes a sculpture made of model cars, said: "This is the first time I have used remote-control cars for a portrait, but I plan to do more.

Popbang runs at Solihull Art Gallery, Homer Road, until May 31.